The run is believed to be one of the biggest losing streaks by an individual in Las Vegas history. It devoured much of Mr. Watanabe's personal fortune, he says, which he built up over more than two decades running his family's party-favor import business in Omaha, Neb. It also benefitted the two casinos' parent company, Harrah's Entertainment Inc., which derived about 5.6% of its Las Vegas gambling revenue from Mr. Watanabe that year.

That's a pretty impressive amount of losing when you can claim your own slice of the Harrah's revenue pie chart. "And here we see our 4th quarter projections, with catering, gift shop, concerts, and oh yes, Mr. Watanabe will be in town for Thanksgiving."